Music Therapy in Children and Young People's Palliative Care

Music Therapy in Children’s Palliative Care illustrates very strongly how music therapists use the strength of music to support children and families who are experiencing challenging and life changing circumstances. This book demonstrates how well music therapists offer the opportunity to create lasting memories when a child is dying. Both the child and the family are having to come to terms with loss. This book portrays the complexity of anticipatory grief and discusses offering a safe place to fully face and feel the pain and helplessness of bereavement. Music therapy allows children and families to express their feelings without words. I strongly believe the benefits from music therapy are unlimited creating a bond between child and family. This is only achieved by the amazing flexibility demonstrated by the music therapists in this book. I learnt a great deal when reading this book.

Anna Ludwig is a freelance music therapist working for several charities including Kilbryde Hospice and the Team Jak Foundation. For Team Jak she provides music therapy sessions for children with cancer and their siblings, funded by Jessie’s Fund. She lives in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.